Currently browsing Miami

Panther Coffee

Two locations in Miami, but I love the Wynwood location, because you can walk around the galleries, check out the super cool murals and then stop in for a cold brew or an expertly-pulled espresso. The owners are originally from Portland, OR, so you know they’re into their beans and their roasting techniques. Panther Coffee … Continued

Enriqueta’s Sandwich Shop

This charming, totally local sandwich shop is exactly the break I needed from the overpriced garbage in Mid-Beach. Take the Causeway across, and instead of heading up to the Design District, Enriqueta’s is just a few blocks South, almost as soon as you get onto the mainland. Think batidos (fruit shakes), Cuban sandwiches and deep-fried … Continued

El Mago de las Fritas

What is a frita, you might ask? Think of a Cuban Sloppy Joe, topped with tiny, shoestring fried potatoes, served on a hamburger bun, and you’re pretty close. A good friend from Miami (also Cuban) turned me onto this place near Little Havana, far from the tourist traps and other well-worn destinations. This is truly … Continued

El Palacio de los Jugos

One of my all-time favorite places in Miami. There are seven locations in the area, but the one I go to is only about 10 minutes south of the airport, in Little Havana. El Palacio is where you need to go to get a true sense (and flavor) of the ex-pat Cuban community. The sandwich … Continued

Pubbelly Sushi

South Beach has a lot of overrated restaurants with inflated prices serving mediocre food. The team behind Pubbelly figures it’s better to try to attract locals, and hopefully the tourists will come. The menu here is a hybrid of Puerto Rican and South Florida, with a fair amount of well-prepared and sliced sushi mixed in … Continued

Yardbird Southern Table & Bar

In a sea of overrated, overpriced tourist traps in and around Lincoln Road, what a pleasant surprise to find biscuits, brined-and-fried chicken and pimento cheese. A solid bourbon list could keep you occupied for hours at the bar, but this true southern offering from the 50 Eggs group is well worth a side trip while … Continued

The Bazaar at the SLS Hotel

It’s swanky, it’s expensive and it’s not your typical South Beach restaurant. I think the fleet of Maybachs and Mercedes out front gave it away. The Bazaar is a peek into the mind of Spanish chef (by way of Washington D.C.) José Andrés. It’s tapas on acid. There’s some molecular hocus pocus, some Spanish riffs … Continued

Versailles

The legend. The one and only. The one place in Little Havana you’ll see older dudes in bowling shirts arguing about President Obama’s Cuban policy as much as they debate which natives are the best baseball players. You’ll score a Cuban coffee here, of course, and probably have a Cubano, some maduros, congri, mariquetas and … Continued

Khong River House

The expectations are extremely low along the area adjacent to Lincoln Road in South Beach. Buskers beckon and menus are heavy on the overcooked pasta and alfresco table scene. But Khong – part of the 50 Eggs group that also owns Yardbird – does a more than serviceable job when it comes to delicious Thai … Continued

The Federal Food, Drink & Provisions

A nice little surprise in town, frequented mostly by locals, doing gastropub fare in a very casual dining room. Located in a dimly-lit strip mall, just a few blocks from the Design District, big flavors await. They rely a lot on bacon/pork products, but that’s fine with me. Deviled eggs are a great starter, and … Continued